About the opportunity
Newpin is a program that specialises in the development of emotional maturity and well-being of parents who have children placed in Out of Home Care due to child protection concerns. Newpin promotes the skills that parents need to manage practice as well as emotional challenges in the parenting of their child/ren as well as increasing the elements of safety within the family.
The play workers role is to provide a safe and therapeutic play space, providing support for parents and children when they attend the centre to nurture and repair their relationship. This role is focused on working intensively and therapeutically within the Newpin model and Newpin core values and is informed by attachment, developmental and trauma informed practice.
This is a part time contract until June 2023 where you will be an integral member of our team based in our Bidwill Newpin Centre. The hours of this role are 28 hours per week and this can be worked over 4 or 5 days.
Key Responsibilities:
- To support the team in providing a therapeutic environment throughout the centre. This involves creating a safe loving learning environment for children (predominately 0-5).
- Contribute to the development of each child`s self-esteem and positive self-identify.
- Provide education on children’s health and nutrition needs for parents as required.
- To ensure the family playroom is set up before sessions, and clean and tidy at the end of the sessions as required.
- Build positive relationships with families in the Centre and have the ability to sensitively and wisely handle an “accidental counsellor” situation, maintaining appropriate boundaries.
- n cooperation with the Play Facilitator provide support for all children who are to start school the coming year and provide parents with the information and skills to support their children at School. This may include facilitating the Playing and Learning to Socialise (PALS) program.
About You
- A certificate or diploma in childcare or relevant child-related training.
- Knowledge and understanding of the importance of play in children’s learning.
- Knowledge of child protection and the impacts of trauma.
- Demonstrated experience in working with children (0-6) who are displaying challenging behaviours.
- Knowledge and understanding of the importance of school readiness and education.
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the impact of disadvantage on families especially children.
Applications close on the 20th of July, please include a cover letter addressing the “about you” section in your application.
Employment with Uniting is subject to satisfactory background checks which include a National Police Check and Reference Check.
